A week after a black bear was relocated from the RCMP’s Pacific Regional Training Centre property near the Vedder River another bear – possibly the same one – was seen eating from bird feeders at homes along the Rotary Trail by a local photographer.
• READ MORE: VIDEO: Black bear visiting UFV in Chilliwack safely tranquilized and relocated
William Snow was down on the Rotary Trail near Peach Road watching the bear move around in the area on Wednesday afternoon.
Snow captured photos of the bear rummaging through bird feeders at a residential property near the trail.
Clearly, some residents didn’t get the message from Conservation Officer Don Stahl who said last week that bird feeders should be taken inside and only put out in the winter when bears are hibernating.
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The bear in question had a visible yellow tag on its right ear. Stahl had not returned a Progress phone call by noon on Thursday to find out if the bear is the same one that was relocated on Sept. 30 or a different one.
Stahl’s tips to help not attract bears to residential areas:
• Secure your garbage and green bin in a shed or garage, and do not put it out on collection day the night before
• If you have a bird feeder, especially if you are in a rural area, take them inside and put them out in winter when bears are hibernating.
• If you have fruit trees, be sure to pick all the fruit and do not let fruit lie on the ground.
• If a bear does come on your property, bang pots and pans together to scare it away. If there is a lot of food around, they will likely come back in which case you can use an airhorn or bear bangers available at sporting good stores. (If you use bear bangers, alert the RCMP non-emergency line so it is not mistaken for firearms.)
Across the city, the Fraser Valley Regional District closed the off-leash dog park temporarily on Thursday after a mother bear and her cubs were seen in the Island 22 Regional Park.
• READ MORE: Dog park reopens after bear sightings in Chilliwack
Report any conflict with wildlife that threatens public safety, or injured wildlife by calling the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 or report online.
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